Nov.3 (GMM) At least three key markets have revealed record viewing figures from their television broadcasts of Sunday’s Brazilian grand prix
France’s TF1 said its record was achieved when more than 5 million viewers tuned in to the dramatic finale to the 2008 season at Interlagos, where Lewis Hamilton was crowned champion
The figures represent an audience share of 25 per cent, and a peak audience in the closing laps of more than 8 million viewers — apparently easily the highest of this year’s 18-round calendar
In Germany, the average number of viewers of the free to air RTL coverage was 8.8 million, representing a 31.5 per cent market share
For RTL, the peak audience of 9.46 million was recorded after the chequered flag, when an emotional Felipe Massa was presented with his race winner’s trophy
In Britain, the average audience was also nearly 9 million, as ITV televised its last race before the rights switch to the BBC from 2009
The peak audience was 13.1 million, representing a 42 per cent market share; the best figures recorded by ITV since it began broadcasting live grands prix in 1997
The only sporting event with a higher peak audience (14.6m) in Britain this year was live coverage of the Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea in May
